Lancaster County highlights diversion programs and $10 million in managed grants in annual report

County Human Services Director Sara Hoyle and Chief Deputy County Attorney Chris Reid presented the annual juvenile diversion and human services report to the Board of Commissioners on Feb. 19.

Hoyle described the county’s assessment process for first‑time juvenile law violations, which uses a Nebraska Youth Screen completed with youth and family to inform diversion decisions aimed at keeping youth out of the formal juvenile justice system. Reid outlined diversion programs including Project Restore (school‑based assaults), middle‑school truancy diversion, standard juvenile diversion and a mental‑health diversion program that emphasize early intervention, restorative practices and recidivism reduction. Reid also reviewed the Pre‑Adjudication Community Services (PACS) program, which provides temporary community supervision for higher‑risk youth prior to adjudication to avoid detention while maintaining community safety.

Hoyle reported on general assistance services (rent, utility and cremation assistance) and said demand has risen following the end of pandemic relief funding. She told commissioners Human Services manages about 170 grant contracts totaling over $10 million in federal, state and local funds and is responsible for required monitoring and audits. The presentation ended with recognition of Barney, the office’s therapy dog, for supporting victims and staff.

Why it matters: the report outlines how Lancaster County steers youth away from formal court involvement through assessment and diversion programs and highlights the scale of contracted services and grant funding that support those efforts.

What’s next: board members received the informational report and staff will continue program delivery and oversight.